Micah Richards says Florian Wirtz’s biggest issue at Liverpool is something he can’t even control

Add as preferred source on Google

Florian Wirtz has been one of many Liverpool players who have struggled as the club suffered their third consecutive defeat.

The Reds lost 2-1 to Chelsea on Sunday as Estevao Willian’s 95th-minute match-winner marked the second trip to London in seven days, ending in a last-gasp loss.

Although Alexander Isak recorded his first goal contribution for the club at Stamford Bridge, it was yet another underwhelming league performance by the reigning champions.

Now, the loss has allowed Arsenal to move one point clear at the summit, and as Florian Wirtz was dropped for the trip to West London, his name is once again circulating in the headlines.

Florian Wirtz’s main problem at Liverpool is his price tag

When discussing whether Liverpool’s new-look system is hindering their performances this season on The Rest Is Football podcast, Micah Richards explains what he believes to be Wirtz’s biggest problem.

“The only thing with Wirtz, I think he’s taking a little bit too long. If he does it a little bit sharper, the problem is the price tag. When you get bought for that amount of money, everyone expects now, now, now.

“But I don’t think it’s anything to do with the system. I just think it’s the players need to settle in.”

Wirtz has been “poor” for Liverpool throughout the opening matches of his career in English football and has yet to justify the £116 million outlay paid for his services this summer.

The German international has shown glimpses of his unwavering quality and almost assisted an equaliser with his first touch of the ball at Stamford Bridge as Mohamed Salah failed to convert after a clever flick from Wirtz put his teammate through on goal.

However, Wirtz has been culpable for a larger problem occurring at Liverpool, as he, alongside several of his fellow summer arrivals, has collectively struggled to make an immediate impact at Anfield.

While the Reds are still in a strong position in the Premier League and Champions League despite the three defeats across both competitions, the warning signs are becoming difficult to ignore for Arne Slot.

Florian Wirtz must replicate Dominik Szoboszlai at Liverpool

Although the 22-year-old is a different profile of midfielder from his teammate Dominik Szoboszlai, there is an important aspect of the Hungarian’s game that Wirtz must learn.

Salah has been in the firing line for his contributions thus far, and the Reds’ vulnerability on the right flank has been exploited by the opposition in all three losses.

And Richards believes Szoboszlai’s defensive contributions helped Salah be a potent threat last season, and this is something Wirtz must consider if he is to play the number 10 role for the Reds.

“If you look at the midfield last year, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, and Szoboszlai, because they play with Salah, and Salah’s said in interviews the manager wants him to stay high and wide and just concentrate more on what he can do offensively.

“When you’ve got Wirtz, I’m not saying he’s not hard working, but he’s not a box-to-box midfielder. He’s a flair player, he’s going to open the door for you. And Szoboszlai used to cover for that space for Salah, so it’s a little bit different now, but I agree with Al (Shearer) it’ll come good.”